When Hugo Matheson, Kimbal Musk, and Jen Lewin set out to transform the space on the corner of 16th Street and Wazee (formerly Gumbo’s), their ambition was to create a bistro so inviting it would lure people in from the street. Judging from the crowds at the Kitchen Denver, they succeeded. The decor is a minimalist mixture of vintage (or replicated) factory, farmhouse, and schoolhouse fixtures and furniture: lots of metal, reclaimed wood, and filament light bulbs. Massive windows create an airy, open atmosphere visible from outside, and dark oak floors, exposed brick walls, and stripped concrete pillars provide a raw backdrop. Here, a few highlights.